This new nano process technology is based on inkjet technology, where ink or coating particles are applied with great production precision and speed. This has led to a breakthrough in industrial processes, which were until recently applicable in the textile industry.

Inkjet technology is leading to innovative printing technology and also to a new nano process technology that can apply high added-value functionalities on textile substrates.

One of the additional advantages is that this process realizes large environmental benefits and energy savings. Through the combination of a patented continuous process and specially-designed chemistry, the textile industry will face huge changes in an economical and ecological way.

The transformation to digital production processes in the textile industry will gradually take place, since new machines have to be introduced. One of the building blocks of the business model of Xennia is the alignment with machine builders to create an 'installed base'. In this model Xennia is the supplier of the technological solution, consisting of modules like print engines, software, ink systems, etcetera and specially developed high quality inks.

Alliance with digital printers
With respect to textiles applications Xennia entered into an alliance with Reggiani Macchine, Bergamo (IT). This Italian company has started the production and sales of industrial digital printing machines and will in cooperation with Xennia continue this development process on a joint basis. The production version of the continuous textile printing machine will be ready before the end of this year.

In these processes Xennia will increasingly be involved in the development and production of special inks. New ink formulations with special characteristics will create new entries in the textiles printing market which will create an increasing level of market penetration for digital printing techniques.

Future innovations from TenCate
Xennia contributed to the results of TenCate in 2009. This contribution will increase dramatically from 2010 due to the current components and system developments regarding print platforms for various machine configurations and research projects for third parties. Xennia's predicts revenue for the years 2015 - 2017 of ₤300million-400 million.

Xennia will concentrate on modifying print heads of third parties for special applications under its own brand name and the production of proprietary inks for applications such as textile printing and finishing.

Worldwide, the textile printing market amounts to 21 billion meters. Currently less than 1% relates to digital printing. It is envisaged that Xennia and Reggiani Macchine will become major players in this market and that the market share of digital printing will gradually increase.
The innovations of TenCate will relate to safety and protection (such as protective fabrics for industrial and defence applications and outdoor fabrics). Those materials need prints and coatings to offer the required functional aspects.

Eventually the solutions developed by Xennia will be used for other business areas of TenCate such as composites, synthetic grass and for conductive coatings / prints.